Podcast

The ScoutCast – Episode 213 – Overthinking

Overthinking? It’s what we do – don’t dare ask us to stop.

Particularly now that our heads are swimming with thoughts of blank and double Gameweeks. All those variables, all that planning and strategising: we’re in our element.

Once again, thanks to another bout of community questions, Jonty and Andy join me for another ScoutCast dominated by chatter surrounding our tactics and transfers approaching the missing fixtures.

We break off to nominate the new Premier League whipping boys, while we ponder whether to proclaim Sigurdsson as “essential”, revisit Coleman vs Baines and assess whether the blanks are reason enough to be rid of Alexis Sanchez.

For my money, that’s one decision that requires very little thinking.

This episode of the ScoutCast was first beamed live via our YouTube channel on Wednesday night. Be sure to subscribe to get notice of future live episodes.

If you’re a traditional type, you can acquire the mp3 audio version via this link or the first player below, or take in the full visual experience via the second player below.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,024 Comments Post a Comment
  1. PapsH
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Did Howe mention anything about Daniels just now?

    1. Chris_White
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nope.

    2. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      HE didn't last time as well about his training injury. Very frustrating. Have to assume he's out unless we hear otherwise.

  2. Neevesy
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Heaton (Jaku)

    Alonso - McAuley - Baines (Kingsley - Friend)

    Pogba - Sanchez - Antonio - Alli - Phillips

    Costa - Ibra (Barnes)

    1FT Use or stick? 0.1 intb

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

    2. Al Bundy
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Cant fault that. Save the FT

    3. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys. Think I will sticking, just gotta decide on Captain

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I would go with Alli

    4. willgriggsonfire
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Both Pogba and Ibra a bit much I think.
      Maybe Firmino for him?

      1. Al Bundy
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Decent option that actually, both Coutinho and Firmino might be better than Pogba

    5. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      G2G

  3. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Does this make sense?!

    Grant (Jaku)
    Rose - Brunt - Baines (Mustafi, Chambers)
    Sanchez - Coutinho - Alli - Phillips - Antonio
    Costa - Aguero (Diomande)

    0ft
    0.2itb

    For week 26 2xft:
    Rose/Aguero > Byram/Lukaku (Enough to field full team and 1 playing sub)

    For week 28 2xft:
    Coutinho/Diomande > Fletcher/Carroll (Fletcher will become bench fodder in 343 afterwards, 9 players in week 28, 7.1itb to rebuild.

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Waste of trade getting Fletcher in. Surely you'd have more money to go with a better player?

      1. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        He has a game week 28 and its to facilitate the move to 343 afterwards, could get Siggy instead for 28, but then id need to spend an extra transfer rebuilding team afterwards by downgrading a mid to release cash, realistically taking a hit. So id need the better player (Likely would be Siggy, theres no premiums playing and I already have Antonio/Phillips, so nobody i want long term really) to score 6 in week 28 to break even.

        Dunno, will wait and see I guess.

  4. Shirokov(c)
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Foster Pickford
    Alonso Rose Jones Pieters Amat
    Sanchez Eriksen Pogba Phillips Capoue
    Ibrahimovic Giroud Defoe

    2 free transfers, 0.9m in the bank.

    Question marks over Rose, Jones, Pogba and Giroud. Wouldn't be adverse to taking a hit after 26 points this week

    Rose, Pogba and Giroud to Coleman, Sigurdsson and Lukaku? (-4)

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Don't think Siggy (-4) will outscore Pogba. Other two moves are fine for this GW.

      1. Crystal Ball
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Agree with this

  5. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku hype never goes right. (Since 2 gw ago).

    I'm agree they're improving on defense,
    but as an attacking unit, everton is largely overrated.

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Best striker option in week 28 though..

      1. St. Joseph
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Then 2 x 2 (C) in GW 28

        WBA

    2. MTPockets
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'm so reluctant over Lukaku that I still have Aguero...

      • Chris_White
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        True dat.

      • Toure The Route
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed
        his record Vs the smaller teams though is tempting and no blanks
        Might just tip it in his favour .

      • Pazdannavaro
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed. Everton id defensive minded team. Llorente or Carroll better picks imo. I am playing 5-4-1 with Ibra, Jesus and Sanchez on the bench and 4-4(3) -1 in gw 28 with Carroll upfront.

    3. TOBY1
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Alternative strikers to costa going forward (not thinking about blank gw too much)

      Must be same price or cheaper?

      I currently have lukaku and Jesus.

      Costa would use all my remaining money that really could do with helping my defence.

      1. Toure The Route
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Only Benteke I can think of.
        Would be a decent 3 man front line if you need differentials and are chasing.

        1. Toure The Route
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Excluding Carroll, Llorente that is.

      2. Pazdannavaro
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Fixtures say Benteke

        1. TOBY1
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Preferable to Costa?

          Rest of team - £6m ITB

          GK - Grant / Jakupovic
          Defenders - Walker / Coleman / Stones*
          Midfield - Lallana* / Alli / Sánchez / Phillips / Capoue*
          Forwards - Jesus / Lukaku

          Bench - Kingsley* / Aké* / Diomande*

          * = those I'm thinking need to go...

    4. Neevesy
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Who are people Captaining this week? Between Ibra or Alli for me

      1. MTPockets
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Aguero or Alli

        • IWR
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Kane. Possibly Alli, but Kane with pens wins out I think. Although Alli gets the extra point for a goal.

          Tough to split them

        • ol3andre
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Eriksen

          1. Sess!
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            That's bold.

            1. ol3andre
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Why is that so bold? MID leaking away. Ibra/Costa/Sanchez not better options imo.

        • Sess!
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Ibra

        • Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Aguerooooooooooooo

          1. Sess!
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Aguerlolllllll

            1. Now I'm Panicking
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Probably - get the "lol@" copied ready to paste 🙂

        • FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          I have Ibra, Kane and Lukaku but still tempted by Sterling 😯

        • Pazdannavaro
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Jesus over Eriksen and Ibra.

      2. Horlicks esq.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        In 1.5 millionth Im all over JESUS (c) this week. Shets and Geggles from here on in. I cant take myself seriously. I blame the 39 transfers I've made this season already.

        WOEFUL.

        1. S.Agueroooooo
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          likely to start on the bench

          1. Horlicks esq.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            No he isnt.

            1. Sess!
              • 13 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              There is every chance to be fair. Pep loves rotation and aguero isn't going to sit there every game.

              1. Pazdannavaro
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Aguero may get his gametime in fa cup and cl.
                Jesus scored and had an assist. Wasnt subbed by Aguero (Sterling was).
                Aguero shown nothing.
                That is reality.
                Stop living in the past.
                Aguero is nothing more then the dearest impact sub right now.

        2. George James
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          i think he will be on the bench, possibly play out wide.

      3. TFP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Which two starters to pick from Pieters, Stanislas, Negredo???

        1. Toure The Route
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Pieters def
          And negredo since he is a striker
          Stanislas has been woeful last two weeks

      4. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Leicester - United score prediction?

        Reckon 1-2.

        1. Horlicks esq.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Prolly 1-1

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Probably? *empties ATM and goes down the bookies*

        2. Sess!
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          1-2 or 0-2 to utd. To be fair could easily be a typical mourinho 1-0 away win too.

        3. George James
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          1-3

        4. mrmrscott
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          0 - 4

      5. LIARS POKER
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        g2g?

        Randolph
        Alonso Walker Coleman
        Sanchez KDB Alli Phillips
        Kane Lukaku Carroll

        Bench: Jaku, Nyom, Yoshida, Carroll

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Great Team! g2g

        2. The Man Pastore
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          G2G

        3. Neevesy
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Love this team

          1. LIARS POKER
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers all

        4. mrmrscott
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Looks great, will need some Chelsea attacking cover soon thou

          1. LIARS POKER
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Thinking about interchanging KDB and Hazard over the next few weeks with blanks, works out quite well

            GW24 KDB (swa)
            GW25 KDB (bou)
            GW26 Hazard (swa) - KDB blank
            GW27 KDB (sun) - Hazard has west ham away
            GW28 either keep KDB (stoke) or Hazard (watford)

            Sound like a decent plan or a waste of loads of ft's?

      6. Shirokov(c)
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Who would you rather get if you already had Foster?

        Brunt or Coleman?

        1. MTPockets
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Brunt

          • Sess!
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Coleman

          • FPL Puppy
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Both.

            If forced, Coleman.

        2. S.Agueroooooo
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Bench one from both lists:

          1) Jaku
          2) Grant

          A) Alonso
          B) Funes Mori

          1. Horlicks esq.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            1.
            A.

        3. Bubz
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Were Stoke aware of this drugs thing when they bought Berahino? Why the hell would you buy him?

          1. boc610
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            there are so many questions to ask here, first one being why you get special treatment from the FA 'for recreational drug use' and why the fans that pay money to see a footballer who is paid money to play football has spun this count of monte cristo tale of his time at the club when it seems he was at fault

          2. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Exactly, he is a liability. Naive from Stoke.

          3. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Half of the population of Stoke are on recreational drugs

            1. Bubz
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Who can blame them

          4. Neevesy
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Think he will smash it at Stoke. V.good player with some issues but with good management and getting him to focus on his footy, I think he will do well.

          5. Flycroft
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Does using a recreational drug make you a bad player or person?

            Why should the public have a right to know about off field issues? The clubs knew about it and it was dealt with

            1. Bubz
              • 10 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              It makes you a very bad professional

        4. maxxxus
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          hi guys,

          2 FT and 0.4 m in the bank.

          Cech - Pickford

          Baines, Lovren , Brunt, Barragan, Walker

          Sanchez, Phillips, Stanislas, Capoue, Eriksen

          Giroud, Ibra, Costa

          So I was thinking:

          A) Stanislas + Giroud --> Sterling + Carrol
          B) Lovren + Giroud --> Yoshida + Lukaku
          C) XXX + GIroud --> XXX + Jesus

          Thoughts?

          Thanks in advance everyone and GL

          1. willgriggsonfire
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            A. if you want some differential.

            1. maxxxus
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              I am top of my mini league ATM. So I want solid points no risks 😛

        5. boc610
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          anything on Daniels?

          1. willgriggsonfire
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Howe confirms Daniels and Wilson will miss out for Bournemouth, though Gradel is back in contention.

        6. Emiliano Sala
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Has berahino served his ban or je will serve in future ?

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            He*

        7. AFC49
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Ibra or Lukaku captain?

          1. maxxxus
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Lukaku imo

          2. The Man Pastore
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Lukaku

        8. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          GTG?

          Start Azpilcueta or leave it?

          Heaton

          Coleman McAuley Brunt

          Sánchez Alli Siggy Zaha

          Lukaku Ibrahimovi(ć) Jesus

          Grant Azpilcueta Fletcher Amat

          1. wulfrunian
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            gtg

          2. Sess!
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            When did you get Jesus?

        9. lickwidice
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Heaton (Foster)
          McAuley, Holebas, Jones (Pieters,Amat)
          Sanchez,Alli, Phillips, Capoue (Stanislas)
          Kane, Aguero, Ibrahimovic

          0 in the bank and no FT's

          Should I WC? or take a hit?

          1. maxxxus
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            GTG

            1. lickwidice
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Thanks!

          2. Sess!
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Stanislas over Capoue surely. For pens alone.

        10. Shack
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Would you do:
          Haz & Amat to Siggy & Coleman for a hit?
          Not keen on Siggy's fixture this week and would be playing Pieters (wba) if I did not make it, so I am not sure whether I save my FT and assess the situation next week. Some thoughts would be welcome. Cheers!!

          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Do it

          2. MTPockets
              7 years, 1 month ago

              I'd save for the reason you describe.

          3. IWR
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Is the forward watchlist broken?

            1. Professor Abel X
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Why, is Aguero on it?

          4. Oven Glover
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Hennessey
            Brunt Baines Toby
            Phillips Alli Sanchez Pogba
            Kane Lukaku Jesus(C)

            Looks good ahead of this week imo but is it too risky to give Jesus the armband?

            Cheers!

            1. King Henrik
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              yeah the armband will take balls of steel tbh. i would do kane just tobe onthe safe side. looking good.#

          5. fijuhmon
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Foster
            Alonso Evans Coleman
            Sanchez Alli Lallana Stanislas
            Lukaku Rondon Ibrahim

            Jaku Smith DeRoon Amat

            I was originally planning to switch to 3-5-2 by DeRoon -> Siggy (-4), but my defense is a mess. Should I stick to the plan or ship Evans out for Brunt / Walker / Funes Mori?

            1. MTPockets
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Evans won't play.

                1. fijuhmon
                  • 12 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Smith it is then. Or ship Evans out?

            2. Buck The Trent
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Bench ?

              A Alonso (ARS)
              B Yoshida (WHM)

              1. C_G
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Yosh

              2. Budweiser
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Yosh

            3. NUFCAndrew
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              This isn't fantasy football related, but I'm involved in a group bet called 'Killer', and I am searching for advice, in which over £500 is on the line.

              The objective of the bet is to pick a premier league team who will win their upcoming fixture, if the team you pick loses or draws their match, you are out of the bet.

              The only rules are you cannot use the same team twice. For example if I chose Burnley to beat Watford this weekend and that happened, I could no longer chose Burnley again. As this is the first week I have all 20 premier league sides available for selection.

              After analysing the current round of fixtures, I have picked out 4 potential teams I could pick:

              Chelsea
              Watford
              Palace
              Spurs

              I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on which team to chose for this week, I don't want to pick a big team at the moment, as when the competition is in the later stages, being able to pick say Chelsea is a massive boost.

              If anyone could help me chose which team to go for I'd be very grateful. Thanks

              1. Funkyav
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                so is this Last Man Standing?

                1. NUFCAndrew
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Yes. There are over 20 players and the last person in the competition takes all the money.

              2. Sess!
                • 13 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                If you want to avoid the big teams this week then I think Palace is your best bet.

                1. NUFCAndrew
                  • 7 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  I was thinking Palace, or Everton?

                  1. Toure The Route
                    • 7 Years
                    7 years, 1 month ago

                    Def
                    Everton over palace though
                    Everton at home Vs easy sides, best week to choose them.

              3. willgriggsonfire
                • 7 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Everton
                Palace

              4. ROOTY7
                • 8 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Palace for me mate.

            4. C_G
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              What to do here? Stick or take a hit? No FTs, 0.1 ITB

              Grant Jaku

              Alonso Valencia Brunt Yoshi Amat

              Sanchez Eriksen Lallana Pogba Hojberg

              Kane Rondon Ibra

              1. The Man Pastore
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                no hit imo

            5. Budweiser
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Heaton (Jaku)
              Holebas, Baines, Brunt, Alonso (Holgate)
              Alli, Eriksen, Sanchez, Phillips (Marney)
              Lukaku, Ibra (Giroud)

              Thinking for the future.. Should I:

              A. Holebas, Marney, Giroud < Yoshida, Tom Carroll and Costa

              or

              B. Marney, Giroud < Sigurdsson, Crouch with 2.0 ITB 3-5-2

            6. King Henrik
              • 12 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              anybody bringing in Jesus ?

              1. Budweiser
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Lol no rotation risk and 2 upcoming blanks

              2. Now I'm Panicking
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                About 100,000 so far

              3. Chris_White
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Tempting, but means no Alonso. So sticking to the original plan.

            7. Stat Sloth
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              What 2 do for this GW?

              a) Aguero to Lukaku
              b) P. Jones/Cedric/Friend to Coleman (already have Baines)
              d) Alexis to Snodgrass

              If B, choose one of the defs, please 🙂

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 12 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                Sanchez to Snodgrass?!

                1. Stat Sloth
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Or Antonio, that's also possible.

                  Alexis will have two blanks and two difficult games the next five. With Welbeck and Gru back there is also a slight rotation risk.

                  1. Salah’s Sonnet
                    • 12 Years
                    7 years, 1 month ago

                    sanchez will never be a rotation risk, and surely you can cover sanchez for the blanks, wont be able to afford him back and it will prove difficult, season keeper.

                    1. Stat Sloth
                      • 8 Years
                      7 years, 1 month ago

                      If Aguero is not a season keeper, there will be no trouble getting Sanchez back. Current TV is 106.